Home

How to Install and Set Up IntelliJ IDEA 🚀

IntelliJ IDEA is one of the best Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) for Java development. Follow this step-by-step guide to download, install, and set it up.

🎓 Are you a student? You can get IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for FREE! 👉 Click here to jump to the student discount section.

---

1. Download IntelliJ IDEA

1. Open a web browser and visit the official JetBrains website:
   👉 Download IntelliJ IDEA
2. Choose between the two available versions:
   • Ultimate (Paid, for professional development)
   • Community (Free, for basic development)
   • ✅ If you're just starting, the Community Edition is recommended.
3. Click Download under "Community Edition."

---

2. Install IntelliJ IDEA

Windows

1. Open the downloaded installer file.
2. Follow the installation wizard:
   • Click Next until you reach the "Choose Components" screen.
   • Select:
     • ✅ "64-bit launcher" (if applicable)
     • ✅ "Add launchers dir to PATH" (optional but useful)
   • Click Next, choose the installation folder, and click Install.

Mac

1. Open the .dmg file.
2. Drag the IntelliJ IDEA app into the Applications folder.

Linux

1. Extract the downloaded .tar.gz file.
2. Run the idea.sh script from the extracted folder.

---

3. First-Time Setup

1. Launch IntelliJ IDEA after installation.
2. Choose a theme (Light or Dark) and click Next.
3. Select necessary plugins (keep defaults for now; plugins can be installed later).
4. Click Start using IntelliJ IDEA.

---

4. Create a New Project

1. Click New Project.
2. Choose Java (or another language if needed).
3. Select the JDK (install one if needed).
4. Click Create to start coding!

---

5. Run a Simple Java Program (Optional)

1. Create a new Java Class (Main.java).

2. Write this basic program:

   public class Main {
       public static void main(String[] args) {
           System.out.println("Hello, IntelliJ!");
       }
   }

3. Click Run ▶️ to execute it.

✅ Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed and set up IntelliJ IDEA! 🎉

---

🎓 Bonus: Get IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for Free as a Student

If you're a student, you can get IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for FREE through the JetBrains Education Program!

1. Check Eligibility

• You must be a student or teacher with a valid academic email (.edu or similar) or an official student ID.

2. Apply for the JetBrains Education Program

1. Go to 👉 JetBrains Education Program
2. Click "Apply Now".
3. Sign in with your GitHub, Google, or JetBrains account.
4. Choose one of the verification methods:
   • Academic Email: Use your .edu email to sign up.
   • Student ID: Upload a photo of your student ID if you don’t have an academic email.
5. Submit your application and wait for approval (usually within a few days).

3. Download and Activate IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate

1. Once approved, download IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate from 👉 here.
2. Install it following the same steps as in the main guide.
3. When prompted for a license, log in with your JetBrains account (the same one used for the student application).

✅ Enjoy IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate for FREE while you're a student! 🚀